Affinity Designer: Solid Foundations
A thorough, project-driven Affinity Designer course that equips you with the vector design skills needed for branding, UI, and illustration projects.
What will you learn in Affinity Designer: Solid Foundations Course
Master Affinity Designer’s interface: personas, panels, and customizable toolbars
Create precise vector artwork using the Pen, Node, and Shape tools
Apply advanced styling: gradients, fills, strokes, and effects (shadows, glows)
Work with layers, symbols, and asset panels for efficient, non-destructive workflows
Export assets in multiple formats and slices for web, print, and UI design
Program Overview
Module 1: Getting Started & Interface
⏳ 45 minutes
Topics: Affinity Designer personas (Vector, Pixel, Export), workspace customization, panels
Hands-on: Set up a custom workspace and import sample assets
Module 2: Basic Vector Tools & Shapes
⏳ 1 hour
Topics: Drawing primitives (rectangles, ellipses, polygons), Boolean operations, snapping
Hands-on: Build a complex icon by combining and editing shape layers
Module 3: Pen Tool & Node Editing
⏳ 1 hour
Topics: Pen tool workflows, adding/removing nodes, curve handles, corner vs. smooth nodes
Hands-on: Trace a logo sketch precisely and refine its curves with node edits
Module 4: Styling & Effects
⏳ 1 hour
Topics: Fill types (solid, gradient, bitmap), stroke options, layer effects (shadow, outer glow)
Hands-on: Design a colorful badge using gradients and apply multi-step shadow effects
Module 5: Layers, Groups & Symbols
⏳ 45 minutes
Topics: Layer hierarchy, masks, grouping, creating and managing symbols for repeats
Hands-on: Create a set of reusable UI buttons as symbols and update them globally
Module 6: Text & Typography
⏳ 45 minutes
Topics: Artistic vs. frame text, character/paragraph styles, text on path
Hands-on: Layout a promotional poster with styled text blocks and curved headlines
Module 7: Exporting & Slicing
⏳ 45 minutes
Topics: Export presets, slices panel, asset tagging for multiple resolutions
Hands-on: Slice a mobile UI mockup and export assets for 1×, 2×, and 3× displays
Module 8: Final Project – Branded Icon Set
⏳ 1.5 hours
Topics: Project planning, asset consistency, style guide creation
Hands-on: Design a cohesive icon set for a fictional app, package as an asset library
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Job Outlook
Affinity Designer skills are valued for roles like Graphic Designer, UI Designer, and Illustrator
Demand growing in agencies, startups, and freelance marketplaces seeking cost-effective vector tools
Entry-level designers earn $40,000–$60,000; experienced specialists command $65,000–$90,000+ annually
Proficiency accelerates workflows in branding, digital illustration, and interface design
- Comprehensive coverage of both basic and advanced vector workflows
- Strong emphasis on reusable symbols and non-destructive styling
- Final project ties together skills into a portfolio-worthy asset set
- Limited deep dive into pixel-persona raster techniques
- No coverage of advanced scripting or plugin extensions
Specification: Affinity Designer: Solid Foundations
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FAQs
- No prior design experience is required; the course is beginner-friendly.
- It introduces Affinity Designer’s interface, tools, and basic vector design concepts step by step.
- Hands-on exercises help learners understand creating shapes, lines, and simple compositions.
- Basic computer literacy is sufficient to follow along.
- By the end, learners can confidently create vector designs and artwork using Affinity Designer.
- Yes, the course covers creating shapes, paths, and curves using vector tools.
- Learners practice scaling, rotating, aligning, and combining shapes for compositions.
- Techniques include using snapping, layers, and grouping for organized workflows.
- Hands-on exercises help learners create clean, precise vector illustrations.
- Advanced vector techniques, like custom shape creation or advanced pen tool use, may require further practice.
- Yes, the course teaches applying fills, strokes, gradients, and layer effects.
- Learners practice color selection, blending, and gradient manipulation for visual impact.
- Techniques include opacity, blending modes, and layer styles for polished designs.
- Hands-on exercises demonstrate applying these effects in real-world design projects.
- Advanced color theory or effects may require additional exploration.
- Yes, the course covers using layers, artboards, symbols, and grouping for project management.
- Learners practice keeping designs organized for easier editing and version control.
- Techniques include naming layers, using hierarchies, and structuring components for scalability.
- Hands-on exercises help learners maintain clarity and efficiency in complex projects.
- Advanced project management features may require further exploration.
- Yes, learners can create complete design projects suitable for portfolios.
- Projects include vector illustrations, logos, and design compositions from start to finish.
- Hands-on exercises provide practical skills to demonstrate proficiency in Affinity Designer.
- Portfolio-ready projects help learners showcase abilities for internships, freelance work, or job applications.
- Advanced portfolio work may require additional projects or custom designs.